‘Keeping My Sh1t Together’ during #lockdown

So here we are, seven weeks into lockdown, with news expected today on how the Government plans to get us out of lockdown. How are you doing? How hard are you having to work to stay well mentally and physically? I’m certainly finding it tough at times, and I’m defo up and down. I have lots in the mix – anxiety, chronic pain, a four year old and 11 month old which equals tiredness, and then the added pressures of lockdown. So this is what I’m doing to Keep my Sh1t Together, and if any of these can help anyone then that’s great:

· I’m trying to get the balance of how much time I need to spend in my head with my thoughts and reflecting, and how much time I need to be out of my head and practicing mindfulness

· Ways I am trying to practice mindfulness – being present – include baking, playing Barbies with my girl, bashing pans with my boy and grabbing any opportunity to get creative

· Silent disco – music has always been important to me and I’m missing driving round with my music on loud (when I’m minus the kids), so I’ve turned to my headphones if the rest of my clan are watching telly and I need my music, which includes positive playlists on my phone. I’ve also reached for my headphones when I’ve wanted to find solace in the garden, but the neighbours are out and I’ve needed to drown out their voices. Me and my girl are also loving a Friday teatime kitchen disco with Sara Cox on Radio 2, where we turn the radio up and have a good ol’ singalong and some type of boogie. Rylan on Radio 2 – Saturday 3pm – 6pm is also a weekly must

· I’m really trying to be kind to myself – this includes lowering my expectations so I don’t try and get all the jobs done, and be constantly ‘doing’. Or if I’m not ‘doing’, feel that I have to be playing with the kids. I really am trying to ingrain in myself that you can’t give from an empty cup and that I matter, so that ‘mum guilt’ can bugger off. To help me do this I’ve recently started using #affirmations

· Staying off Daily Mail online, limiting Facebook is a must and instead I’m visiting Instagram for inspiration as well as a place to post my own thoughts, but this time is also limited

· I’m making sure I walk alone a couple of times a week, which I make the most of by listening to a podcast. My current faves are Happy Place and Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations

· Giving myself permission to conserve my energy whenever possible, so though it looks like everyone is constantly on video calls happily chatting away, I know that I need to limit such time as quite simply I find it exhausting

· Self-care – I’m still brushing my hair, putting make up on and though I often don’t look any better for it, I know it’s done

· Routine for the whole family is defo helping during lockdown, and it’s something I’m still tweaking. My four year old is loving her daily calendar I recently made her. Within the routine I’m trying to ensure everyone has quality time together and apart

· Trying to keep the house tidy – no mean feat in a two up two down and four people – including two under 5’s. But the physical clutter really makes me feel overwhelmed, and though I might feel exhausted on an evening it really is worth spending the time putting stuff away. Then when I have chance I’m working through drawers, adding to the shredding pile

· Gratitude – this is one of those things I hear lots of people speak about and I think yes I’ll do that, but I really have been doing during lockdown. Mainly on a night and a morning I simply look up and say what I’m thankful for

· Trying to make sure I eat and drink enough – I forget sometimes just how important this is and how you are what you eat. It’s tricky of course during lockdown as you can’t nip to the shop or if you can you may not wish to. But I really do need to keep my energy up, especially as I’m still breastfeeding, so when my daughter has her morning and afternoon snacks I’m trying to remember to have mine. Nuts are great for mood and energy so are often a preferred choice of mine

· Swearing – (of course not in front of the kids) it’s proven to lower stress so I’m continuing to swear away whilst ever I feel it helps

· Letting myself feel emotions and if anyone tells me not to or try to ‘fix me’ then I tell them where to go. Especially now during lockdown I need to feel my emotions, to process them and let them flow out

· Stretches – I have various issues with my back, and some knocking around still from pregnancy. Stress / tiredness can make my muscles even tighter so I’m doing gentle stretches a few times a week to ease any stiffness. There are plenty of online yoga / pilates classes currently. Unfortunately I still have diastasis recti (splitting of abdominals) causing me issues but this will improve in time

· I’m encouraging my children to play by themselves at some point each day. The 11 month just gets on with it, but the four year can be demanding, but it does neither her nor me any favours by constantly giving her attention. So this is a work in progress. Nor does it help giving little lady too many sweets as she basically becomes a pain in the arse and doesn’t go to sleep until silly o’clock

· Daring to look to the future and what I might want that to look like but without any pressure

So that’s what I’m doing or at least trying to. As of course we all have good and bad days, and I know I am a work in progress. The bits in bold are to help me have a reference, for when I need a quick reminder of what helps me stay well. I’ve realised that I’ve seen / heard / read about these many times in the self-help arena, but it’s taken for lockdown to happen for them to really resonate with me, for me to become aware of what I truly need, and take action and implement. And that now I know what I need, that these actions are to stay with me not just throughout lockdown, but way way after. Because I really have realised that I matter, and for that I am thankful.

I really hope you are finding ways to ‘Keep your sh1t together’ during lockdown and beyond. For anyone struggling I recommend you download the happiful app. There’s a great magazine, a directory of professionals offering help, details of support groups, inspirations. It really is worth a look. Please look after yourself and stay well.

Emma

xxx

#selflove #personaldevelopment #lockdown #keepingyourshittogether #personalwellness